PDP alleges plot to manipulate card reader

Accusations have continued to trail the rescheduled governorship polls, despite the security threat given as the cause.

The state’s chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Orbih, alleged that the postponement was scripted by Governor Adams Oshiomhole to manipulate the card reader.

Orbih, who spoke to the press in Benin City, said it was also to enable the APC to bring its members from neighbouring states to participate in the election.

The chairman added that the PDP had credible information that the ruling party paid huge sums of money to militants in Delta State to attack the PDP members before and during the election.

He disclosed that the militants are lodged in different hotels in the state capital.

Orbih urged the security agencies to apprehend them before they cause mayhem.

Last week, Oshiomhole accused some south-south governors of bringing over 8, 000 armed militants to disrupt the governorship polls.

Orbih said: “The shift was also to give the APC the ample opportunity to manipulate the card readers, especially in areas where the party is weak.”

According to him, when the card readers malfunction, they would then resort to the use of a manual register and the attendant incident forms.

The chairman explained: “Part of the plot is to arrest some PDP leaders and members to prevent them from mobilising their supporters for the polls.

“Instead of canvassing support for their candidates, they are resorting to the intimidation of our members, including inducing them with Prado Jeeps.”

However, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Kassim Afegbua has denied the allegation.

He said: “The PDP is jittery about the rescheduled elections because of its poor campaigns, as against the APC’s grassroots campaigns which ended with a grand finale at Ogbe Stadium.”

Afegbua explained that the arrest of some suspected militants had confirmed that the security threat was real.

The commissioner dismissed the accusation that the APC was buying PVCs.